Montana Fouts injury update: What Alabama coach Patrick Murphy said following win vs. Arkansas

Alabama faithful held their collective breath on Thursday, as softball ace Montana Fouts left their SEC Tournament quarterfinal game versus Arkansas with a left leg injury.

It looked like the injury occurred when Fouts slipped while throwing a pitch. Afterwards, Crimson Tide softball manager Patrick Murphy didn’t have an update on his ace’s condition, telling the media “No, there isn’t” when pressed for one.

Montana Fouts left the field with an apparent leg injury.

(via @SECNetwork) pic.twitter.com/gff2028kab

— espnW (@espnW) May 12, 2023

Moving forward for Alabama, the injury to Fouts won’t change the Crimson Tide’s plan for the remainder of the SEC Tournament, as Murphy’s ace had already pitched her planned two games.

“She was going to pitch the first two and then we were going to let the other three, whatever happened − whether it’s one game, two games − doesn’t matter. That was (the other pitchers’) games to win,” Murphy explained.

However, time will tell if it keeps Fouts out of the NCAA Tournament, which starts next week.

The injury occurred in the seventh inning, after Fouts recorded her ninth strikeout against the Razorbacks. It simply looked like the Alabama ace landed awkward, but a limp was immediate.

While Fouts attempted to stay in the game, it was evident that she would need to be taken out, as she was visibly injured. However, she did leave the field on her own, which is a good sign moving forward.

Continuing, Murphy explained to the SEC Network after the game what his words of encouragement were to Fouts as she faced the injury.

“Come on let’s go, someone else will win it for you. You got to have the faith,” Murphy said. “She did not want to leave.”

It all worked out, as Fouts cheered on her squad to a victory over Arkansas, but Alabama will now await news to see how severe her injuries are.

Montana Fouts has been essential to Alabama’s operation in 2023, having thrown more than half the innings for the Crimson Tide this season. Additionally, Fouts led Division I pitchers with 302 strikeouts going into Thursday’s game against Arkansas, possessing an ERA of 1.46. Fouts has amassed a record of 23-9, adding three no-hitters and 10 shutouts.